Renting to multiple tenants in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) can be highly profitable, but it comes with stricter legal responsibilities than standard rentals. The Renters’ Reform Bill introduces even greater accountability for landlords, making it essential to follow the correct regulations to avoid fines, licensing issues, or even being banned from renting altogether.
At Hudson & Brown Residential, we help landlords stay compliant by offering expert HMO management, legal cover, and tenant screening to ensure smooth and hassle-free tenancies.
What Is an HMO?
An HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) is a property rented by three or more unrelated tenants who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
Some common examples of HMOs include:
✔ Student houses
✔ Shared professional accommodation
✔ Bedsits with shared kitchens and bathrooms
If you rent an HMO, you have additional legal responsibilities to ensure fire safety, property standards, and proper licensing.
What Are the Legal Responsibilities for HMO Landlords?
1. HMO Licensing Requirements
Most HMOs require a mandatory HMO licence from the local council if:
✔ The property has five or more tenants
✔ The tenants form more than one household
✔ Facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms are shared
Some councils also require a licence for smaller HMOs, so landlords must check their local authority’s rules.
Failure to obtain a licence can result in:
❌ Fines up to £30,000
❌ A rent repayment order, forcing you to refund up to 12 months’ rent to tenants
❌ Banning orders, preventing you from renting out properties in the future
At Hudson & Brown Residential, we handle HMO licensing applications for landlords, ensuring full compliance and protecting your investment.
2. Meeting HMO Fire Safety Standards
HMO landlords must follow stricter fire safety regulations than regular rental properties, including:
✔ Smoke alarms on every floor
✔ Fire doors for all bedrooms and kitchens
✔ Clear fire escape routes
✔ Annual gas safety checks
✔ Electrical checks (EICR) every 5 years
Landlords who fail to comply with fire safety laws risk criminal prosecution and fines.
Our team at Hudson & Brown Residential helps landlords stay compliant by arranging safety inspections, fire risk assessments, and necessary upgrades.
3. Ensuring Proper Room Sizes & Living Conditions
HMOs must meet minimum room size requirements to prevent overcrowding:
✔ Single bedrooms – Minimum 6.51 sqm
✔ Double bedrooms – Minimum 10.22 sqm
✔ Rooms for children under 10 – Minimum 4.64 sqm
Failure to meet space requirements can lead to enforcement action from the council, including fines and orders to reduce tenant numbers.
Our HMO management services ensure your property meets legal space and living condition standards.
4. Managing Tenant Deposits & Rent Protection
HMO landlords must:
✔ Protect tenant deposits in a government-backed scheme
✔ Provide tenants with Deposit Protection Certificates
✔ Legally increase rent using proper procedures
If a landlord fails to protect deposits, they could be fined up to 3x the deposit amount.
At Hudson & Brown Residential, we handle all deposit protection, rent collection, and tenant referencing to safeguard your income.
5. Dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour & Evictions
Managing multiple tenants in an HMO can lead to challenges such as noise complaints, disputes, and unpaid rent.
Under the Renters’ Reform Bill, landlords must:
✔ Use the new Section 8 eviction process if tenants break the tenancy agreement
✔ Keep records of complaints and warnings
✔ Work with the council to manage anti-social behaviour issues
Our legal cover and eviction support services help landlords handle problem tenants quickly and legally.
How Hudson & Brown Residential Helps HMO Landlords
Managing an HMO can be complex, but Hudson & Brown Residential makes it easy with:
✔ HMO Licensing Assistance – We handle applications and renewals
✔ Fire Safety & Compliance Checks – Ensuring legal property standards
✔ Tenant Referencing & Rent Protection – Reducing risk with quality tenants
✔ Full Property Management – From maintenance to dispute resolution
Need Expert HMO Management? Contact Us Today!
Stay compliant and profitable with expert HMO landlord support from Hudson & Brown Residential.
📞 Call us today for a free consultation on:
✅ HMO licensing & compliance
✅ Legal cover & eviction support
✅ Tenant screening & rent protection
Let us handle the complexities so you can focus on growing your investment!
